Mixed Signals on Arms Control

Publicly, the President was standing firm on the U.S. bargaining
position at the critical talks with the Soviet Union on
intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) in Europe. Declared
Reagan at his televised press conference: "When I . . . introduced this
proposal for zero option, I said that we would negotiate in good faith
any legitimate proposal that might be offered . . . So far no legitimate
counterproposal has been offered that would warrant negotiation or
study." Thus, insisted Reagan about the Soviets, "the ball is...